Whenever I hear someone say, “My workout today was really intense,” In my head I’m thinking, “Yeah right.” We all have our own perception and ideas about measurement of intensity. What is intense for one person may be a walk in the park for another person. I can imagine that walking up a steep hill for 30 minutes would be quite intense for
someone who is overweight, and it would just be an ordinary stroll for
a trail runner.

I think the word “intensity” gets thrown around too loosely. Just like
the words, “great, excellent, and awesome,” which are all way over-
used. Right here and now I want to explain what “True Intensity” is.

Allow me to tell you a story. When the moment came that I decided to take bodybuilding seriously I had to start training seriously; and that is precisely what I did. In 2001 I was preparing for a bodybuilding competition and learned first hand what True Intensity was all about. Before leg workouts I would be nervous and have butterflies in my stomach. This is typical of sports competitions, games, and some practices, but not so common for a simple workout. The problem was, it wasn’t just a simple workout; it was a test of my own courage and strength. I was walking into the gym knowing in the back of my head, that I might not be walking out under my own power. I pushed insane amounts of weight for my size and bodyweight. If you were to look at me, you’d think my eyes were about to pop out of my head or you’d think to yourself, “is this guy crazy?” I would often weep from the pain of training with this kind of intensity and occasionally vomit during or after the leg workouts. Is this normal? Not for average people, but for elite bodybuilders it is very familiar
territory.

There is nothing like pushing your body beyond its normal physical
limitations. When your mind takes over and you convince yourself to
go harder than you ever thought possible, it is one of the best and
most powerful feelings you can ever experience. When you scream
through the pain and tears roll down your face, and upon completion of
the last rep all you can do is lie there motionless trying to regain
your breath and control of your body; you know you are training with
True Intensity.

When people tell me that they are training hard but are not achieving
their desired results I know they are not training with intensity, or
perhaps their diet is lacking. I believe people when they say they
train hard, anyone can do that. But when you step into the world of
intensity you will see results; you have to. If you aren’t than you
need to take your nutrition program seriously and make the dedication
to nutritional excellence just as intense as the workouts. In 2001
when I started this intense odyssey I achieved great results and was
pleased with what I was able to accomplish. In a short time I made
huge gains because I wasn’t satisfied until I was certain that I was
the hardest working person in the gym.

There are a few limitations with true intensity as there are with
anything. To take your training to the next level requires an
accurate evaluation of what your body can handle. On a few occasions
I had to learn the hard way. I have collapsed under the weight while
doing squats, I’ve been crushed by the hip-sled leg press more than
once, and I’ve hurt my shoulder and biceps from taking the intensity a
little too far. Recognize the difference between pain from the
quality of intensity and pain from muscle injury. This is very
important and should be taken seriously. It is all a waste if you
work really hard in the gym achieving results only to have it all go
away from a careless injury.

If True Intensity is controlled it can lead to the greatest workouts
of your life, respect from others in the gym afraid to give it their
all, and bodybuilding results you only dreamt about before discovering
this method of training. I don’t mean to suggest that you throw up
after each workout or have to be helped out of the gym to get home,
but push yourself harder and harder each time until you feel that you
are truly training with intensity.

True intensity does not only refer to training but encompasses your
entire lifestyle. When it comes to intense nutrition this includes
drinking a gallon of water a day, eating enough calories and protein
to compliment your workouts and put on muscle, and taking advantageof
supplements that may assist your bodybuilding progress. This also
means preparing meals so you don’t miss an opportunity to eat during
the day and carrying supplements with you. This also means that you
take care of yourself and get enough rest and sleep and stay away from
things like alcohol, smoking and things that will inhibit your
progress and not allow you to reach your full potential.

Train with intensity, passion, desire and purpose and I have no doubt
that you will see your physique transform the way you’ve always hoped
it would. Leave everything in the gym, go home, eat and be proud of
your efforts. Then go to sleep. You deserve a nice rest because you
know that tomorrow is going to be a big day and you might even have
butterflies in your stomach before your workout. Then you know you
are training with True Intensity.